I have earned iPrefer points on a stay 2x. Once, I had to take my daughter to a 2 day swim meet in East Meadow Long Island. I wanted to find a hotel close to the meet but was also looking forward to a little mini vaca with just my daughter so I splurged a little and we stayed at the Garden City Hotel in Garden City, NY. You can read my review of our stay and the hotel here. Another time, Rob and I stayed at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs for three nights.
Over the years my family and I have not stayed at many independent hotels. We tend to lean more towards the big chains, Westin, Hyatt, Marriott, so I was unsure as to how to earn points for a stay at an independent hotel. With a little research, I learned that the Garden City Hotel is a member of a hotel group called Preferred Hotels and Resorts and the group’s rewards program is iPrefer; a hotel membership program that rewards you for staying at any of their leading independent hotels worldwide.
So I joined as it is free to join. I automatically got Silver Member Tier status upon joining which entitled me to earn iPrefer points, complimentary internet and priority early check in/late check out. Earning more points gives you higher tier status which entitles you to ultimately more benefits during your stay. See the iPrefer rewards chart.
iPrefer points are earned on room charges during your stay and on non-room charges, such as dining at the hotel’s restaurant, at the discretion of the hotel. This is unlike a program, such as Starwood Preferred Guest, where SPG points are earned on even non room charges at any resort that is a participant in the Starwood Preferred Guest program.
There are many really really nice hotels that are part of the iPrefer program. I am familiar with some only because I have checked them out or dined at one while on a trip, yet staying at one of the big chain hotels that I mention above. For example, when Rob and I went to Monarch Beach, CA a couple of summers ago we had lunch at the Montage Laguna Beach. This hotel was gorgeous, the hotel views spectacular and the lunch delicious. A taste of the granola is a must. Thank you LB for the tip!
At this point, I am not sure if an iPrefer hotel stay is in my family’s future as the only way to earn points is to stay at their hotels and pay for rooms. I would rather stay with my family at a big chain hotel for free on points! Maybe I would spurge if Rob and I were taking a trip alone, but then again, on that trip to Monarch Beach, CA we stayed at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort, a Starwood Resort, on points. The hotel, views and food rivaled the Montage and our stay was for free!!!!!